Method and apparatus for severing elongated material into predetermined lengths

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for severing elongate, flexible material into separate pieces of predetermined lengths. The elongate, flexible material is supplied from a source at a constant, uniform rate of speed. It is subsequently engaged and retarded by suitable means prior to being severed in pieces by a stationary shear. Means are provided to form a curve or hump in the material between the supply source and the retarding means and means are also provided to form a curve or hump in the material between the retarding means and the shear. A loop is thereby formed at the first curved portion of the material when the material is retarded. A loop is also formed at the second curved portion of the material when it is being sheared. The double loop arrangement enables the constant, uniform drive to be employed and also the stationary shear to be used. The constant speed of the elongate material also improves the operation of the overall line, with fewer interruptions resulting, and enables the material to track better.

Unite States Patent [1 1 '[111 3,768,349

calmer [451 Oct.30,1973

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR [57] ABSTRACT SEVERING ELONGATED MATERIAL INTO PREDETERMINED LENGTHS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for severing elongate, flexible material into separate lnvemol'i Ford Callffiel i Homfidale pieces of predetermined lengths. The elongate, flexi- Avenue, Toledo, 01110 43623 ble material is supplied from a source at a constant, [22] Filed. N0 3, 1971 uniform rate of speed. It is subsequently engaged and retarded by suitable means prior to being severed in pp N03 195,140 pieces by a stationary shear. Means are provided to form a curve or hump in the material between the sup- 52 us. ca 83/42, 83/209 83/236 Ply WW6 and the warding means and means are also 83/262 83/364 83/408 provided to form a curve or hump in the material be- 511 rm. cu 1326a 5/38 twee" the retarding means A is [58} Field of Search 83/209 210 236 thereby fmmed first curved} Of the mate 83/262 rial when the material is retarded. A loop is also 7 formed at the second curved portion of the material [56] References Cited when it is being sheared. The double loop arrange- I ,ment enables the constant, uniform drive to be em- UNITED STATES PATENTS ployed and also the stationary shear to be used. The gownsend et al 8 3 32; constant speed of the elongate material also improves earson the operation of the overall line, with fewer interrup- 3,3l5,553 4/1967 Handler et al. 83/236 tions resulting and enables the material to track Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister Alt0rney-Allen D. Gutchess, Jr. zolclaims, 13 Drawing Figures 5a 56 a o e: 48 as? 24 64 60 O I I26 46 32 2 55 k 66 5O |2O I22 I 34 r a e a... w I? 3% a. E 6 g I E 124 1" I 36 3 gv j 2 I 2 l28 I m, 5/ R 1:

PAIENIEBnm 30 ms SHIT 2 INVENTOR FORD B. CAUFF/EL ATT R NEW PAIENIEDncTao ma 3,768,349

SF'ZEU 3 SF 4 INVENTOR FORD B. CAUFF/EL ATTEiORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING ELONGATED MATERIAL INTO PREDETERMINED LENGTHS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating elongate, flexible material into pieces of predetermined lengths.

I-Ieretofore, machinery employed to cut elongate, flexible material of indeterminate length into pieces of predetermined lengths has employed two-speed drives for the elongate material to slow down the material in order to enable reasonably accurate lengths to be cut. The two-speed drives have been relatively expensive and also formed undesirable loops near the supply sources or reel of the material, as the material changed speed. This caused the material to be difficult to hold or track on a predetermined path. Further, leveling devices or levelers have been employed when the elongate, flexible material is in strip from in order to produce finished planar pieces after the material has been unwound from the supply reel. I-Ieretofore, levelers have reacted differently on the strip at the different speeds. Consequently, finish levelers have not been able to be employed with such lines, so that additional leveling or finishing of the final pieces was heretofore required. Such lines also commonly employed edge trimmers to finish the strip to a precise width. The trimmed edge scraps were then wound out of the way on a storage reel. With the two-speed lines and erratic tracking heretofore, the strips would often tend to move to one side, thereby eliminating the trimmed edge scrap on the opposite side and require restarting once again so that the trimmed scrap could be wound on the storage reel. Previous cut-to-Iength apparatus or lines also have generally used oscillating or flying shears, the cost of which is many times that of a stationary one. r

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for severing flexible, elongate material in pieces of predetermined lengths which overcome the above disadvantages and have many other advantages. In accor-' dance with the invention, the elongate material is fed at a constant, uniform rate of movement or speed by a drive in the form of a leveler moving the elongate material from a supply source or reel. The constant speed of the elongate material enables the tension therein between the leveler and supply source to be constant without the formation of loops as heretofore occurred when the speed of the material changed from one value to another. The constant speed also enables a finish leveler to be employed so that the final cut length pieces are planar and finished requiring no additional subsequent operations in that respect. The constant speed of the material always assures that the effect thereon by the rolls of the finish leveler always will be constant. The constant speed also enables the elongate material to track or be guided with little difficulty; The material thereby will remain in a fixed path through an edge trimmer which may be employed. The trimmed or scraps thereby retain their continuity so as to be able to be wound on a storage reel located out of the way of the line, with restarting of the line being virtually eliminated which otherwise occurred when trimmed edge scraps became discontinuous.

Even though the elongate flexible material is fed at a constant speed, it is retarded or slowed down sufficiently before being cut or sheared that pieces of very ing to the invention;

accurate lengths can be obtained. Further, the slow, final cutting speed of the strip enables stationary shears to be employed which are frequently only a fraction of the cost of flying shears or oscillating shears heretofore usually required.

The above advantages are achieved through curve forming components in the apparatus or line. Accordingly, meansare provided between the leveler and the retarding means to form a curved portion and a loop thereat when the material is being retarded while still being fed at the levelers at a constant rate of speed. Second curve forming means are located between the retarding means and the shear to form a second loop in the line when the material is being sheared while still being moved at a retarded rate by the retarding means.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for severing elongate material into pieces of predetermined lengths with the elongate material fed at a constant rate of speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for cutting elongate material into'pieces of predetermined lengths more accurately.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for severing elongate material into pieces of precise lengths with; stationary shears.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for tracking an elongatematerial more uniformly when it is to be cut into pieces of predetermined lengths.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cutting elongate material to predetermined lengths with less expensive components.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side view in elevation of apparatus for severing elongate, flexible material into separate pieces of predetermined lengths, accord- FIG. 2 is "a somewhat schematic, plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 are schematic side views in elevation showing apparatus according to the invention in various stages of operation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view, with parts in section, of a leveling component of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; I

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic front view of an edge trimming component of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic front view of a component for slowing down or retarding the elongate material handled by the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic front view of a stationary shear constituting a component of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2:

FIG. 1 l is a fragmentary, schematic side view of parts of the shear of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view in longitudinal crosssection of cutoff controls for operating the shear of FIGS. 10 and 11 FIGS. 13 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 12, with parts broken away.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overall line or apparatus for severing elongate, flexible, material into pieces of predetermined lengths is indicated at 20. The line includes a source of elongate, flexible material indicated at 22. The supply source 22 includes a reel or spool 24 of a flexible, elongate material or strip 26, the spool being located on an arbor 28 and rotated by a suitable drive and tensioning unit 30 which also maintains a constant tension on the strip through an associated air brake control.

The main drive for the material 26 is achieved through a leveling component or leveler 32 which includes a pair of pinch rolls 34 and a multiplicity of work rolls 36 at upper and lower levels, between which the material 26 passes in an undulating manner. This straightens the strip after being wound on the reel 24. All of the rolls 34 and 36 are driven at a uniform rate to drive the material 26, which is maintained under constant tension between the reel 24 and the leveler component 32'by the drive and tensioning unit 30 for the arbor 28.

After the leveling component 32, the material 26 passes through an edge trimming component 38 which trims edge portions of the material 26 to achieve a uniform, precise width. The trimmed edge strips or scraps 40 and 42 are then wound in an out-of-the-way position on a storage reel 44.

In accordance with the invention, the material 26 then is directed over a first curve-forming or hump table or means 46 having an upwardly-facing arcurate surface 48. The strip 26 then moves between a pair of quick-closing, slow-down rolls 50 and 52 of a materialengaging and retarding unit or components 54.

In accordance with the invention, the material 26 then moves over a second loop-forming or hump table or means 56 which also has an arcuate, upwardlyfacing surface 58. Next, the material moves between upper and lower shear blades 60 and 62 of a stationary shear 64. Beyond the shear 64 is a cut-off or length control 66 associated with a run-off or discharge table 68 having a pair of spaced conveyor belts 70 and 72.

In the operation of the apparatus 20, the material 26 is moved by the pinch rolls 34 and 'the work rolls 36 at a predetermined, constant rate of speed, eg. 200 f.p.m. With the speed being constant, a constant tension can be maintained in the material between the reel 24 and the leveler 32. This enables proper tracking of the material 26 to be achieved, even with light material. With the constant speed of the material, the leveler component 32 can be a finish leveler which employs more work rolls and ones of smaller diameter to provide a flat, finished sheet requiring no further flattening or finishing once the material 26 is severed into pieces. Finish levelers cannot be used with two-speed or multispeed lines because the work rolls produce different effects on the material at different speeds. The leveler 32, as shown, is only representative and, in most instances, many more of the rolls 36 would actually be used.

The flattened material continues from the leveler through the edge trimmer 38 when the trimmed edge portions or scraps 40 and 42 are removed and wound onto the storage reel 44. Because the material 26 tracks properly due to the constant speed employed, the material does not wander to one side or the other and cause the trimmed scrap 40 or 42 to become discontinuous. In that instance, as heretofore occurred, it was necessary to stop the line and re-feed the trimmed scrap onto the storage reel.

After the edge trimmer, the material 26 continues over the arcuate surface 48 of the first hump table 46. Accordingly, a portion 70 (FIG. 3) of the material 26 assumes an upwardly-facing, arcuate contour corresponding to the surface 48. The material then continues unhindered between the slow down rolls 50 and 52 of the slow down unit 54, the rolls 50 and 52 being spaced apart at this time.

I The material then raises over the second hump table 56 where a portion 72 of the material assumes an upwardly-facing, arcuate contour corresponding to the surface 58 of the second table 56. Next, the material 26 passes between the shear blades 60 and 62 of the shear 64, which blades are also spaced apart at this time. A leading edge 74 of the material 26 subsequently approaches a first limit switch LS1, being about to engage this limit switch in FIG. 3.

When the leading edge 74 of the material 26 actuates the first limit switch LS1, as shown in FIG. 4, it causes the slow-down rolls 50 and 52 to move toward one another to engage the material 26 and immediately cause the portion so engaged and that downstream of the rolls to be retarded to a much slower speed, eg. 20 f.p.m. The material 26 upstream of rolls 50 and 52, toward the supply source, continues moving at the initial, constant rate, e.g. 200 f.p.m. This causes an upwardlyextending loop 76 to be formed at the arcuate portion of the material 26, the material at the loop 76 moving upwardly from the loop-forming surface 48.

The forward or leading edge 74 of the material 26 does not reach the lower speed, e.g. 20 f.p.m., until it is almost to a second limit switch LS2. When the leading edge 74 reaches the second limit switch LS2, it causes the blades 60 and 62 of the shear 64 to be actuated, severing a piece 78 (FIG. 5) of predetermined length. During the severing operation, the rolls 50 and 52 continue to engage the material 26 so that an even higher loop 80 is formed at the arcuate portion 70 of the material, as shown in FIG. 5. Also, at the time of shearing, the material at the shear 64 is stationary while the material at the rolls 50 and 52 is slowly moving, eg. 20 f.p.m. Consequently, a second loop 82 beings to form at the arcuate portion 72 of the material. The shear blades 60 and 62 operate rapidly, in the order of 300 strokes per minute so that the second hump or loop 82 in the material 26 does not extend very high.

The blades 60 and 62 thus quickly open again and the hump 82 disappears as a severed, new leading edge 84 moves past the blades 60 and 62. Substantially at the time that the blades 60 and 62 complete their cut, a time delay relay, operated by the first limit switch LS1 when engaged by the leading edge 74, times out and the rolls 50 and 52 open again. The loop 80 then begins to diminish, shooting forwardly the leading edge 84 at a speed greatly in excess of the lineal speed of the material 26 between the leveler component 32 and the reel 24. The loop 80 preferably is not formed to the extent, however, that it tends to .move the leading edge 84 much if any, beyond the first limit switch LS 1. When the newly-severed leading edge 84 engages the first limit switchLSl, the line will be back to the stage shown in FIG. 3.

Of course, the height of the first loop will depend upon the speed of the material, both before and after being retarded and the length of time it is being retarded. The height of the second loop will depend on the speed of the retarded material and the length of time required to sever the material. Such factors, in turn, will also depend upon the length of the pieces being severed. In practice, the pieces severed can be in lengths from 6 inches to 96 inches with tolerances less than one sixty-fourth inch. The line can be used to accommodate steel and aluminum, by way'of example, in thicknesses from 0.010 inch to 0.080 inch.

The various individual components of the apparatus 20 will now be discussed in more detail. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the arbor or mandrel 28 preferably is of an expandabletype to facilitate loading and unloading of the reel 24. An additional reel for the arbor 28 can be carried on a supply cart 86 which is mounted on tracks 88 for movement toward and away from the ar bor. This facilitates loading a new reel on the arbor. If desired, the arbor and the drive unit 30 also can be mounted for limited transverse movement on rails or frame members 90 to facilitate aligning the reel 24 on the arbor 28 with the various components of the line. Once the reel is aligned with the components, proper tracking is assured because of the constant speed of the material 26. The components of the material source 22 are commercially available and will not be discussed in further detail.

The leveling component 32 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7. The pinch rolls 34 and the work rolls 36 are all'driven through a gear mechanism 92, a chain 94, and a motor 96 located therebelow. As shown, the rolls 36 are positioned so that the material 26 must assume an undulating configuration when moving therethrough to finish the material and flatten it. Again, the leveler 32 can be of the finish type so that no additional finishing steps are required after the material is severed into the pieces of predetermined length. In such components, many more rolls than the number shown can be employed. The leveling component 32 also is a commercially-available item and will not be discussed in further detail.

Referring to FIG. 8, the edge trimmer 38 includes a pair of driven shafts 98 and 100 havingcircular trim knives or rolls 102 and 104 at the edges of the material 26, the shafts being rotated by the motor 96 through a chain 105.- The trim rolls overlap and sever the trimmed edge. scraps or strips 40 and 42 from the material 26. A plurality of rubber rolls 106 and 108 maintain the material flat while it is being trimmed. The trim knives 102 and 104 and the rubber rolls 106 and'108 are preferably driven slightly faster than the leveler rolls 36 to maintain the material in tension. The trimmed scraps 40 and 42 are immediately carried up to the storage reel 44 which is driven by a hydraulic motor 110 to maintain the trimmed scraps in tension. When the reel 44 is filled, a supporting flange 112 thereof can be removed and the wound scrap forced off the reel 44 and down roller conveyors 114 and 116 into a storage bin 118. Because the material '26 tracks precisely and does not wander relative to the trim knives or rolls 102 and 104, the trimmed scraps 40 and 42 will retain their continuity. I-Ieretofore, if thematerial .26 would wander to one side or the other, to the left,for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the scrap 42 would disappear. The line then required restarting to wind the newly-formed trimmed scrap ontothe storage reel.

If desired, additional cooperating rotating knives can be provided at intermediate locations on the shafts 98 and 100 to longitudinallysever the material 26 into a plurality of strips. These can be of any desired width but are the same length so as to be severed by the shear 36 in thesame manner as the single material 26.

' over the table 46. For example, a plurality of rollers 126 can be substituted for the plates 120 and 122 if desired. The radius of the arc is not critical either, as long as his sufficient to cause the loop to form when the material is engagedby the slow-down rolls 50 and 52.

The engaging and retarding unit 32 is shown more specifically in FIG. 9. The upper roll 50 has axles rotatably mounted in a suitable framework 132 and the lower roll 52 has axles 134 rotatably held in bearing members 136. The bearing members 136 are guided for vertical movement in ways or other suitable guides and are engaged by piston rods 138 of fluid-operated cylinders 140. When fluid, preferably air, is supplied to the blind ends of the cylinders 140, the piston rods 138 and the bearing members 136 are moved upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 9 with the material 26 engaged between the lower roll 52 and the upper roll 50. The lower roll 52 is driven at a predetermined rate through universal joints 142 and 144 and by an extensible, splined shaft 146 connecting them. A drive motor 148 drives the lower roll 52 through thisarrangement, regardless of what position the roll 52 is in as determined by the cylinders 140. The rolls 50 and 52 are preferably of metal and covered with a layer of polyurethaneor hard rubber to avoidmarring the surfaces of the material 26. Rather than the rolls 50 and 52 other means can be employed to retard the material 26. For example, a pair of clamps or shoes mounted'on sliding ways can be used to engage the elongate material and slow it down to the desired speed.

The second hump table, shown in FIG. 1, has the arcuate surface 58 formed of a single plate 150 in this instance. The surface 58 of the table 56 begins just beyond the slowdown rolls 50 and 52 and extends close to the stationary shear 64.

The shear 64 can be'of any suitable high speed type known in the art. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lower shear blade 62.is stationary, being suitably supported by spaced frame elements 152 and 1 54. The upper blade 60 is mounted for vertical movement between guides 156 and are pivotally connected to links 158 which are rotatably affixed in offset locations to cam members 160 on a shaft 162.. The shaft 162 is rotated through a combination air clutch and brake component 164 by a suitable motor 166. The shaft 162 is driven through one revolution when the clutch and brake mechanism 164 is actuated. The shear is preferably capable of high speed operation, in the order of 300 strokes per minute. Rather than the slanted shear blade 60 bow-tie configurations or, other configurations of the blades can also be employed, asisknown in the art. The shear, including the clutch and brake mechanism 164, are commercially available and will not be discussed in furtherdetail. 1 l v The length control 66 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 12 and 13. Accordingly, the. limit switches LS1 and LS2 are mounted on a supporting member 168 which includes a positive stop 170 extending upwardly between the belts 70 and 72 of the discharge table 68. The positive stop 170 assures accurate lengths for the severed pieces of the material 26, along with the limit switches LS1 and LS2. The supporting member 168 is mounted for retractable movement to enable the severed strip to pass beyond the controller 66 and be discharged. Accordingly, the supporting member 168 is connected to piston rods 172 and is guided for lineal movement by a frame member 174. Two fluid operated cylinders 176 are mounted on the frame member 174 and actuate the piston rods 172 to move the supporting member 168 up and down on a diagonal path parallel to the piston rods 172.

The framework 174 is supported on an adjusting screw 178 and moves back and forth longitudinally between the belts 70 and 72 when the screw 178 is turned. This movement can be accomplished by hand or by a motor 180. The lengths of the pieces severed from the material 26 are thus easily adjusted through turning of the screw 178.

The conveyor belts 70 and 72 of the discharge conveyor 68 are preferably driven at a speed higher than that of the material 26 by suitable means, such as a motor 182 (FIG. 2). Thus, when a piece is severed and the positive stop 170 is retracted below the belts 70 and 72, the belts will carry off the severed piece faster than the material 26 so that gaps will occur between the severed pieces for easier handling. The pieces can be suitably received by a stacking device at the end of the conveyor belts 70 and 72, as is known in the art.

The placement of the scrap storage reel 44 on top of the line keeps the reel out of the way. Further, the scrap can be removed into the storage bin 118 without requiring a pit to be dug in order to remove and dispose of the scrap.

Various modifications of the above described embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is to be understood that such modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, if they are within the spirit and the tenor of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for severing elongate material of indeterminate length into pieces of predetermined lengths, said apparatus comprising means for moving said elongate material in a longitudinal direction, means for forming a curve in a portion of said material, means beyond said curve-forming means for engaging said elongate material and retarding the rate of movement thereof, second means beyond said engaging and retarding means for forming a second curve in the elongate material, and means beyond said second curveforming means for severing the material into the pieces of predetermined lengths.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said material being moved in a generally horizontal direction, and the curves formed by both of said curveforming means extend upwardly.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for severing the pieces of predetermined lengths comprises a stationary shear.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by control means beyond said severing means for operating said engaging and retarding means when engaged by a forward edge of the elongate material.

I gate material is severed.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by means for adjusting said control means, said second control means, and said positive stop toward and away from said severing means.

9. Apparatus for separating elongate, flexible material into separate pieces, said apparatus comprising means for establishing a supply of the elongate, flexible material, means for moving the elongate, flexible material in a longitudinal direction at a substantially constant rate of movement, means for engaging the elongate, flexible material and retarding the rate of movement thereof, means for forming a curve in a portion of the elongate, flexible material between said moving means and said engaging and retarding means to form a loop at the curved portion when the material is retarded at the engaging and retarding means, means for separating the elongate, flexible material into the pieces, means between said engaging and retarding means and said separating means for forming a second curve in a second portion of the elongate, flexible material to form a loop in the material at the second curved portion when said separating means is separating a piece of the elongate, flexible material.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by control means for operating said separating means when the elongate, flexible material is engaged and retarded by said engaging and retarding means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said material being moved in a generally horizontal direction, and the curves formed by both of said curveforming means extend upwardly.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for separating the pieces comprises a stationary shear.

13. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said engaging and retarding means comprises a roller located on each side of said elongate flexible material, means for moving one of said rollers toward the other,

and means for driving at least one of said rollers at a predetermined rate of speed.

' 14. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by adjustable and retractable control means engageable by a forward edge of the elongate, flexible material for operating said separating means.

15. A method of cutting an elongate, flexible material into pieces of predetermined lengths, said method comprising moving the elongate material from a source at a substantially constant rate of speed, engaging and retarding a portion of the elongate material at a location spaced from the source, forming an upwardly extending curve in the elongate material at a fixed location between the location of engagement and the source to cause an upwardly extending loop to form in the material at the curve when said portion is engaged and retarded, severing the material along a transverse line when the material is engaged and retarded at a substantially stationary position spaced from the location where the material is engaged and retarded, forming a second upwardly-extending curve in the elongate material between the engaging and retarding location and the severing position to cause a second upwardly extending loop to form in the material when the material is being severed at the substantially stationary position.

16. A method according to claim characterized by disengaging the portion of the elongate material after completely severing the material.

17. A method according to claim 15 characterized by retarding the portion of the elongate material to a speed less than one-fourth the speed of the material moved from the source.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized further by said elongate material being a strip, means for trimming elongate edge scrap from the strip, and a storage reel located above said apparatus for receiving the elongate edge scrap.

19. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized further by said elongate, flexible material being a strip, means for trimming an edge scrap from at least one edge of the strip, a storage reel located above said apparatus for receiving and storing the edge scrap, and means for rotating said storage reel.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized further by said reel having a removable supporting flange to facilitate removing wound scrap from said 

1. Apparatus for severing elongate material of indeterminate length into pieces of predetermined lengths, said apparatus comprising means for moving said elongate material in a longitudinal direction, means for forming a curve in a portion of said material, means beyond said curve-forming means for engaging said elongate material and retarding the rate of movement thereof, second means beyond said engaging and retarding means for forming a second curve in the elongate material, and means beyond said second curve-forming means for severing the material into the pieces of predetermined lengths.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said material being moved in a generally horizontal direction, and the curves formed by both of said curve-forming means extend upwardly.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for severing the pieces of predetermined lengths comprises a stationary shear.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by control means beyond said severing means for operating said engaging and retarding means when engaged by a forward edge of the elongate material.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by second control means beyond said control means for operating said severing means when engaged by the forward edge of the elongate material.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 characterized by a positive stop located beyond said second control means for engaging the forward edge of the elongate material.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by means for retracting said positive stop after the elongate material is severed.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by means for adjusting said control means, said second control means, and said positive stop toward and away from said severing means.
 9. Apparatus for separating elongate, flexible material into separate pieces, said apparatus comprising means for establishing a supply of the elongate, flexible material, means for moving the elongate, flexible material in a longitudinal direction at a substantially constant rate of movement, means for engaging the elongate, flexible material and retarding the rate of movement thereof, means for forming a curve in a portion of the elongate, flexible material between said moving means and said engaging and retarding means to form a loop at the curved portion when the material is retarded at the engaging and retarding means, means for separating the elongate, flexible material into the pieces, means between said engaging and retarding means and said separating means for forming a second curve in a second portion of the elongate, flexible material to form a loop in the material at the second curved portion when said separating means is separating a piece of the elongate, flexible material.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by control means for operating said separating means when the elongate, flexible material is engaged and retarded by said engaging and retarding means.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said material being moved in a generally horizontal direction, and the curves formed by both of said curve-forming means extend upwardly.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for separating the pieces comprises a stationary shear.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said engaging and retarding means comprises a roller located on each side of said elongate flexible material, means for moving one of said rollers toward the other, and means For driving at least one of said rollers at a predetermined rate of speed.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by adjustable and retractable control means engageable by a forward edge of the elongate, flexible material for operating said separating means.
 15. A method of cutting an elongate, flexible material into pieces of predetermined lengths, said method comprising moving the elongate material from a source at a substantially constant rate of speed, engaging and retarding a portion of the elongate material at a location spaced from the source, forming an upwardly extending curve in the elongate material at a fixed location between the location of engagement and the source to cause an upwardly extending loop to form in the material at the curve when said portion is engaged and retarded, severing the material along a transverse line when the material is engaged and retarded at a substantially stationary position spaced from the location where the material is engaged and retarded, forming a second upwardly-extending curve in the elongate material between the engaging and retarding location and the severing position to cause a second upwardly extending loop to form in the material when the material is being severed at the substantially stationary position.
 16. A method according to claim 15 characterized by disengaging the portion of the elongate material after completely severing the material.
 17. A method according to claim 15 characterized by retarding the portion of the elongate material to a speed less than one-fourth the speed of the material moved from the source.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized further by said elongate material being a strip, means for trimming elongate edge scrap from the strip, and a storage reel located above said apparatus for receiving the elongate edge scrap.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized further by said elongate, flexible material being a strip, means for trimming an edge scrap from at least one edge of the strip, a storage reel located above said apparatus for receiving and storing the edge scrap, and means for rotating said storage reel.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized further by said reel having a removable supporting flange to facilitate removing wound scrap from said reel. 